Nearly 30 Savings and Credit Cooperative Organizations (SACCOs) and 11 Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), endorsed by community members, have been ratified by the County Government of Siaya. These organizations are envisioned to play a significant role in building the capacity of local farmers in terms of aggregation and providing affordable credit access. By organizing farmers under SACCOs and FPOs, Siaya County aims to bolster commercialization efforts in key agricultural value chains, enabling farmers to reap more economic benefits from their labor. The ratification of these institutions follows an extensive three-day public participation exercise held across all 30 wards of Siaya County, where community members were actively involved in identifying and selecting the most promising institutions to drive the county’s agricultural agenda forward.
The community institutions that have now been formally chosen through a rigorous and competitive process will be supported with revolving matching grants. These grants are specifically targeted at aiding low-income households and smallholder farmers, with a particular focus on women farmers who often face challenges in accessing savings and credit facilities for their agricultural businesses. The revolving grants are intended to boost these farmers' capacities to invest in their businesses, thereby enhancing their productivity and economic stability. By focusing on women, the initiative addresses an often-underserved segment of the farming community, ensuring they have equal access to economic growth opportunities in the county’s agricultural sector.
This initiative has been spearheaded by the County Department of Agriculture, in partnership with the National Agricultural Value Chain Development Project (NAVCDP) in Siaya. One of the significant benefits brought forth by NAVCDP is the opportunity for the majority of local farmers to access loans at lower interest rates compared to those offered by commercial banks. This access to affordable credit is crucial in enabling farmers to expand their enterprises while adopting climate-smart practices. These practices are designed to protect farmers against the adverse effects of climate change, thereby safeguarding their livelihoods and contributing to sustainable agricultural development in Siaya County.
To sustain and enhance these efforts, the Siaya County Government, under Governor James Orengo’s Nyalore Manifesto, has prioritized agriculture and food security as a fundamental agenda item. One of the nine points in this manifesto focuses on boosting agricultural productivity through capacity-building initiatives that support increased production, value addition, and expanded market participation. By organizing farmers into SACCOs and FPOs, the county aims to enable a collective approach toward financial savings and credit access, thereby making it easier for farmers to benefit from these resources. Governor Orengo’s agenda further emphasizes mobilizing farmers across the county to join their respective organizations, contribute savings, and maximize the benefits of this targeted intervention.
In line with Governor Orengo’s agenda, Siaya County is intensifying capacity-building efforts to equip farmers with the skills and knowledge they need to thrive in a competitive market. The county’s agricultural policies are geared toward promoting value addition and ensuring that local farmers can compete effectively within broader markets. As these community institutions gain traction and membership grows, the county government expects to see an increase in production levels and an overall improvement in the socio-economic conditions of local farmers. By investing in agriculture and food security, Siaya County is positioning itself as a model for sustainable rural development, empowering farmers, enhancing food security, and uplifting the community as a whole.